Access to orthopaedic care in Rwanda

Ottobock and UPHLS training healthcare workers in rural regions

The German company Ottobock and the Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the fight against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS) cooperating in a pilot project to strengthen access to orthopaedic care for people with physical disabilities in Rwanda. The project is supported by the Business Scouts for Development programme on
behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) in cooperation with the German Industry Association Spectaris and the East African Health Platform.

The implementing partners Ottobock and UPHLS will conduct 15 trainings for decentralized rural Health Centres to strengthen their role as entry points for people with physical disabilities and as intermediary between patients and referral hospitals specialized in orthopaedic services. Additionally, UPHLS will organize five events to raise awareness of the
shortcomings in the care infrastructure. To present an exemplary pilot UPHLS will furthermore select one rural Health Center where the project will contribute to a renovation for improved accessibility.